Apparatus for handling and dispensing materials



June 5, 1934. E. A. PYLE APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DISPENSING MATERIALS Filed Sept. l1, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR -fy/e BY ATTORNEY wnNgssl-:s fr @yp/QA E. A. PYLE 1,961,984 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DISPENSING MATERIALS June 5, 1934.

Filed. Sept. ll, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Svi. 51m.

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lNvENToR ATTORNEY June 5, E A PYLE APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DISPENSING MATERIALS lll: y gg.

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ATTORNEY Patented June 5, 1934 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DISPENSING MATERIALS 2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatusv for handling dry goods or other similar materials which are retailed by linear measurement, and said invention resides in an apparatus which, while not necessarily restricted to such use, is especially designed for handling oilcloth or other analogous materials of this nature which are sold kin measured lengths from a roll or bolt.

The invention broadly aims to provide a device of the indicated character, by virtue of which the several operations of unwinding and measuring and severing, rewinding and computing the price of the measured severed length are greatly facili- 4tated.

The invention further contemplates a device of the character set forthwhich is comparatively simple in its construction, in that it employs but few and simple parts which are capable of `economical production and assembly and which combine to produce a device which is highly efficient in its purpose and which occupies a minimum amount of space on a counter, shelf or the like.

With the above recited and other objects in View, reference is had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which there is exhibited one example or embodiment of the invention, while the claims define the actual scope of the same.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line indicated at 1-1 in Y Figure` 2.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view.

Figure 3 is an end view.

Figure 4 is a detail view of the winding roller in its expanded condition, with the material wound thereon, and shown in section,

Figure 5 is a similar View illustrating the roller in its contracted position prior to the removal of the material wound thereon, which is shown in section.

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional View through the expanded roller, taken approximately on the line indicated at 6--6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail View of the severing element and its guide.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the severing element and Vits guide in juxtaposition'to the material and disclosing the manner in which the severing of the material is accomplished.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectionalY View taken approximatelyA on the line 9-9 of Figure 2, illustrating in detail the material measuring and price computing means.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the dial strip for the computing means.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the machine embodies a framework ncluding the sides l() and 11 which are joined by transverse cross bars 12 at the lower ends thereof, and which sides are further connected adjacent the upper ends by forward, intermediate and rear cross members 13, 14 and 15. The intermediate and rear cross members 14 and 15 support and have depending therefrom a pair of transversely spaced roll supporting straps 16, said straps being of substantially U-shaped conguration, each presenting a lower bight portion 17 connecting the upstanding leg portions 18 which have angularly disposed upper terminals 19 anchored by screws or equivalent fastening devices 20 respectively to the intermediate and rear cross members 14 and 15.` The confronting rear and forward edges 2i and 22 of the cross members 13 and 14 are disposed in closely spaced parallel relation to define therebetween a transverse slot 23, the purpose of which will be hereinafter developed.

Located adjacent the upper and forward portion of the frame of the device and supported from the sides 10 and 11 thereof is a transverse winding roller or spindle designated generally by the reference character 24. This winding roller or spindle 24 is of an expansible nature and consists of an intermediate section 25 and outer relatively movable sections 26 and 27 which are respectively connected to the intermediate section by means of links 28 and 29. Preferably two pairs of each of said links are employed located adjacent the opposite ends of the sections and the links 28 are pivcted respectively at 30 and 31 to the outer section 26 and the intermediate section 25. The links 29 are pivotally connected respectively at their opposite ends as at 32 and 33 to the intermediate section 25 and outer section 27. As illustrated, the intermediate section 25 is of substantially rectangular conguration in cross section, while the outer sections are of substantially semi-cylindrical cross sectional configuration, and the said sections are respectively formed with depressions 34, 35 and 36 which accommodate the links and dispose them within the confines of the periphery of the roller or spindle 24 so as not to interfere with the removal of the material wound thereon when the same is to be axially displaced therefrom. It will also be observed that the walls 37 and 38 of the de- -ing opening 44 in the side 10 of the frame.

pressions 35 and 36 constitute stops with which the links are engageable to limit the relative movement of the intermediate and outer sections. The outer section 27 has anchored thereto and protruding from its inner flat face, a plurality of longitudinally spaced shanks 39 which extend through slots 40 in the intermediate section 25 and through apertures 41 in the outer section 26. The protruding terminals 42 of the shanks 39 are directed at an angle and curved to conform to the curvature of the outer face of the outer section 26 to constitute with said outer face a clamping means for engaging with the end of the material A which is to be handled by the apparatus. The gripping action between the terminals 42 and the outer curved side surface of the section 26 is automatically effected by the expansion of the roller or spindle 24. The material A as shown is arranged in a roll as illustrated at B, which roll is freely supported for unrolling movement by the straps 16 and when it is desired to measure and dispense the material, the end of the roll is trained over the cross members 13 and 14, as illustrated in Figure l, and the free end of the strip is positioned between the outer curved side of the outer section 26 of the spindle 24 and the terminals 42, after which the expanding of the roller or spindle 24 is effected to grip the extremity of the strip for anchoring the same to said roll or spindle. Obviously, this exn pansion of the roller or spindle and the gripping action referred to are accomplished by relative axial or longitudinal shifting of the section 25 with reference to the sections 26 and 27 of the roller 24 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 5. The roller or spindle 24 is journaled for rotation by means of a trunnion 43 which is formed on one end of the intermediate section 25, and which trunnion engages in a bear- The opposite end of the intermediate section 25 is formed with an outwardly tapering head 45 which is designed to frictionally engage in a corresponding tapered socket 46 formed in the head 47 of a crank shaft 48 which is mounted for axial sliding and rotation in a bearing opening 49 formed in the side 11 of the frame, it being understood that the crank shaft axis is aligned with the axis of the trunnion 43 and trunnion bearing 44. The outer end of the crank shaft protruding laterally beyond the side 11 has secured thereto a manipulating crank 50, by virtue of which the crank shaft and roller or spindle 24 may be turned in a counter-clockwise direction, as illustrated in Figure 1, to eifect the rolling of the material A by the expanded roller or spindle 24.

In order to provide means for measuring the material A as it passes from the roll B to and is wound upon the roller or spindle 24, a measuring mechanism is employed which consists of a measuring wheel 51 mounted for free turning movement on a horizontally disposed axle 52 which protrudes laterally from a bracket 53, and which bracket 53 is in turn swingably carried by the cross member 15 of the frame by virtue of a hinge 54. The measuring wheel 51 is formed with a circumferential series of radially projecting tines or pins 55 on its periphery so that turning movement in a clockwise direction, as illustrated in Figure 1, is imparted to the measuring wheel by the engagement and passage of the material between the periphery of the wheel 51 and the upper surface of the cross members 13 and 14. The side of the measuring wheel 51 is graduated in inches as disclosed by the radial graduation marks 56 and the indicia 57. In other words, by way of illustration, the measuring wheel 51 has a peripheral diameter of twelve inches and, hence, upon each complete revolution of said wheel, the operator will know that twelve inches or one foot of the material A has been fed past the slot 23 to the roller or spindle 24. As a further means for assisting in gauging the amount of material which has been withdrawn, a pointer 58 is supported from the bracket 53 and is directed toward the periphery closely adjacent the slot 23.

In order to provide means for indicating the number of turns of the measuring wheel 51 and, consequently, the number of feet which have been dispensed, a dial 59 is employed, which is mounted on a vertical axis or shaft 69 which extends upwardly from the bracket 53, and which axis or shaft is in the nature of a tubular sleeve clamped in rigid position between a washer 61 on the upper surface of the bracket and a substantially U- shaped bearing clip 62 overlying the center of the dial 59. The clamping action is effected by a bolt 63 extending through the U-shaped clip, the sleeve, the washer and the bracket 53 and provided with a head 64 at its upper end and with a nut 65 at its lower end. Preferably, the dial 59 is secured to and forms in effect an integral part of a cylinder 66 which turns with the dial 59 about the vertical airis or tubular shaft 69, and the periphery of which cylinder bears suitable indicia 67 for cooperative display through a slot 68 in an annular concentric wall 69 supported by and upstanding from the bracket 53 for the purpose of computing the price of the measured severed length of the material dispensed. In order to impart motion to the dial 59 and cylinder 66, the measuring wheel 51 is formed with a lateral inwardly projecting pin 70 while the dial 59 is provided with an annular series of depending pins 7 i disposed in the path of movement of the pin 79, whereby upon each revolution of the measuring Wheel 51 the dial 59 and cylinder 66 are turned a predetermined distance or part of a revolution, which is represented by the indicia 72 on the dial 59 as one foot or twelve inches.

In order to avoid the possibility of inaccuracies in the measurement indicated by the dial 59 which might be caused by spinning of the dial, a detent arm 73 is fulcrumed at 74 on the U-shaped bearing clip 62, and said detent arm normally engages by gravity between the circumferentially spaced pairs of detent keeper lugs 74 which are formed on the upper face of the dial 59 and which also serve in the capacity of graduations which cooperate with the detent arm to facilitate the reading of the dial 59. In order to release the detent arm 73, its terminal 75 is directed downwardly and the under side or edge 76 is fashioned to serve as a cam surface with which the pin 70 of the measuring wheel cooperates to lift the detent arm from between the detent keeper lugs 74 irmnediately prior to the engagement of said pin 70 with the pin 71 of the dial 59. In other words, the pin 70 of the measuring wheel 51 functions to elevate the detent 73 to render the same inactive during the actual turning movement of the dial 59 and immediately releases said detent arm at the completion of the turning movement of the dial 59 by the engagement of the pin 70 with the pin 71.

In order to facilitate the accurate severing of the measured length of the material A, the side 10 of the frame pivotally supports a severing device designated generally by the reference character 77, and which severing device consists of a supporting arm '78 which is of a length to completely traverse the Width of the apparatus. The arm 78 is fulcrumed at '79 to a suitable bearing 80 on the upper edge of the side 10 and at a point Where it may be swung to an active position in registry with the slot 23 defined between the cross members 13 and 14. The arm 78 is provided with a longitudinally extending guide slot 81, and a severing knife 82 having a manipulating handle 83 projecting above the upper surface of the arm is mounted to slide and be guided longitudinally by the slot 81.

In use and operation, the roll B of the material A which is to be measured and dispensed is positioned in the apparatus by first swinging the bracket 53 and the mechanism supported thereby to an out-of-the-way position illustrated by the broken lines in Figure l. The end of the wound strip of material A is then positioned on the cross member 13 and protrudes a sufficient distance beyond the, slot 23 to permit the operator to grasp said end for pulling the material through the device. The bracket 53 is then swung back to the full line position illustrated in Figure 1, it being understood that the graduation indicated by zero is disposed at a point coincident with the slot 23 and the pointer 58. The operator then pulls the forward end of the material A and engages the leading edge between the terminals 42 and the curved side of the section 26 of the roller or spindle 24, shifts the section 25 to expand said roller or spindle, thus simultaneously gripping said edge and anchoring the same to the spindle or roller. The operator then grasps the crank handle 50 and turns the same to withdraw the amount of material desired as indicated by the indicia and graduations on the measuring wheel and the indicia on the dial 59. 'I'he bracket 53 and the mechanism carried thereby is then swung to the outof--the-way broken line position in Figure l and the arm 78 of the severing device is swung transversely across the machine to rest upon the cross members 13 and 14. By means of the handle 83, the knife is moved longitudinally of the arm 78 in the slot 23, thus effecting the severance of the material at the measured point. The operator then turns the crank handle 50 until the remaining length of the material which extends from the roller or spindle 24 to the cross member 13 has been rolled upon the roller or spindle. The roller or spindle is then removed from the frame by pulling outwardly or to the right in Figure 3 on the crank handle 50 to release the same, and the section 25 of the roller or spindle is moved axially to the right as indicated by the arrow in Figure 4 With reference to the sections 26 and 27, thereby, through the linkage 28 and 29, contracting the roller or spindle 24, releasing the gripped free edge of the inner convolution and permitting of the removal of the rolled measured and severed piece from the roller or spindle by sliding the same axially therefrom. Obviously, by consulting the indicia 67 on the periphery of the cylinder 66 which is exposed through the slot 68, the operator may observe the computed price of the piece which has been measured, severed and rolled.

From the foregoing, it will thus be seen that a simple but highly efficient apparatus has been devised, by virtue of which a vendee may handle, measure, sever, roll and compute the price of material which is sold.

While there have been illustrated and described certain details of construction by way of illustration, it is to be clearly understood that variations and modifications thereof which properly fall within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to when desired.

What is claimed is:

1. An expansible take-off roll including an intermediate section, a pair of outer sections and links connecting said sections and constituting means eifective to cause radial expansion of the element upon relative axial movements of the outer sections with respect to the intermediate section and devices carried by one of the outer sections and extending through the intermediate section and through the other outer section and means on said devices adapted to automatically cooperate with the last mentioned outer section to grip the strip end, upon expansion of the element whereby to anchor the strip end thereto.

2. An expansible take-off roll including an intermediate section, a pair of outer sections and links connecting said sections and constituting means effective to cause radial expansion of the element upon relative axial movements of the outer sections with respect to the intermediate section and devices carried by one of the outer sections and extending through the intermediate section and through the other outer section and means on said devices adapted to automatically cooperate with the last mentioned outer section to grip the strip end, upon expansion of the element whereby to anchor the strip end thereto, said means functioning to automatically release the strip end upon contraction of the element.

ELEANDER A. PYLE. 

